Fernandinho is on his way out of Manchester City this summer and will need replacing ahead of next season, but Mike McGrath of the Telegraph says Pep Guardiola is looking close to home for his successor. And rather than sign a younger and affordable player for a supporting role, City see Kalvin Phillips as their ‘first-choice’ to replace Fernandinho.
The 26-year-old is one of the best defensive-midfielders in the Premier League and would be a homegrown player, but he won’t come cheap – Leeds United are reportedly requesting £50m. It remains to be seen if Phillips would make the switch, however, as Rodri is established under Guardiola – Fernandinho started only 10 league games this season which may not appeal to the England international.
Guardiola has seven English players in the squad – Scott Carlos, Kyle Walker, John Stone, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish – so Phillips would be the eighth. Signing him this summer would kill two birds with one stone – giving City a deputy for Rodri while ensuring the squad isn’t too full of non-homegrown players – but the 26-year-old has two years left on his deal and committed his future to the Whites only weeks ago.
He might take some convincing.